‘My teacher at Apeejay helped me beat my fear of math and become a computer engineer’

Apeejay Saket alumnus Shubham Chaturvedi is senior technical manager with Lumen technologies. Beginning as somebody who was scared of Mathematics, he went on to overcome his fear, clear the NIT exam and become a successful computer engineer. In an interview, he discusses his interest in computers, memories of receiving an award from Apeejay Group founder chairman Dr Stya Paul and life lessons that he picked up in school. Edited excerpts:

Please tell us about your journey? How did you choose this career?

In school, I was always inclined towards Maths and Sciences. They were my favourite subjects. But as a child I struggled in Maths. Then, in class 6, our Maths teacher, Bhatt Sir, helped me overcome my fear of Maths. He was instrumental in developing my interest in it. Slowly I started doing extremely well in Maths and Science. Then I opted for engineering, and appeared for the IIT and NIT entrances. I cleared NIT and went on to become a computer engineer.

 I was very interested in computers since a young age. During class 11, CBSE introduced computers as one of our subjects. I instantly opted for it. Back then, I was very keen on the programming side. We used to develop graphic programmes, some games using cc++. That’s how it all started.  The knowledge I gained in school helped me in college as well.  

How did you prepare for the NIT entrance examination?

I joined a coaching institution for the preparation of entrance exams. I opted for NIT since it had a top ranking among other institutions.  Towards the end of graduation there was a campus interview, where I got selected in a Computer Science Corporation.

Yes, I put in a focused approach, many extra hours of study. A lot of hard work went into it all. So many teachers helped me from school, our chemistry teacher Rita ma’am, Maths teacher Meenu Kharbanda ma’am. Then there was Sangeeta Arora ma’am, all these teachers helped me to understand the concepts. Once your concepts are clear, then it really helps. Asking the right questions is something I used to do in school and I have carried that habit forward as well. Asking questions always helps, we shouldn’t be hesitant when clarifying our doubts.

Could you please tell us about your work profile?

I am working as a senior technical manager with Lumen technologies. I take care of the application service portfolio. This involves application development, application maintenance.  Basically we take care of the end-to-end customer lifecycle. The customers are spread across Europe and the United States.

It is a very demanding job. There are around 70-80 people whom I manage. Lots of challenges but a very rewarding job as well. At the end of the day, when you accomplish the targets and deliver the product to your customers, it is a great feeling. I am also involved in the pre-sales, so any kind of customer interaction, technology concerns, I deal with it all. Basically with all the various phases of the customer journey.

Could you tell us some of the best memories from your school days?

Lot of memories (laughs).  In school, getting the prestigious Stya Paul award from Dr Stya Paul Sir is a memory I’ll always cherish. I had got it for good values. I had also got a scholarship of Rs 7500 back then. Then I was selected as the Vice Head Boy in the student council. I was very active in inter school competitions, debates and declamations, Sanskrit Shloka competitions. Along with the studies, these extra circulars help you a lot to grow as an individual.

What advice would you give to students who have chosen engineering?

I go to a lot of college campuses for recruitment purposes. What I always suggest is that, no matter what subject you have chosen, make sure you have in-depth knowledge on that. It shouldn’t be all theoretical, you must apply it as well. Especially for computer engineering students. You must spend a lot of time reading, making sure you know the current happenings in the market. Be committed, as college students, you have already gone through the hard part of entrances and all other challenges. Now just focus on getting over the line. Take some time. Find out the right areas where you are keen to grow, which excite you.

“In school, getting the prestigious Stya Paul award from Dr Stya Paul Sir is a memory I’ll always cherish. I had got it for good values. I had also received a scholarship of Rs 7500 back then.”

-Shubham Chaturvedi